Centre View Roundups: Nov. 14, 2012

Certified technicians from the Sully District Police Station will perform free, child safety carseat inspections Thursday, Nov. 15 and 29, from 5-8:30 p.m., at the station, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly. No appointment is necessary. But residents should install the child safety seats themselves so technicians may properly inspect and adjust them, as needed.

However, because of time constraints, only the first 35 vehicles arriving on each date will be inspected. That way, inspectors may have enough time to properly instruct the caregiver on the correct use of the child seat. Call 703-814-7000, ext. 5140, to confirm dates and times.

ONC Needs Community’s Help

Our Neighbor’s Child (ONC) is preparing for its 21st holiday season providing new toys and clothing for children of families in financial crisis in Centreville, Chantilly and Western Fairfax. But it’s a volunteer organization and it can only carry out its mission with the generous support of local churches, schools, businesses and individuals.

And this year, in the face of a difficult economy, ONC needs help more than ever from groups or individuals willing to furnish clothing for local children in need. The number of requests for winter coats, jackets and other warm clothing is high again this year. Specific information (sizes, etc.) will be available before Thanksgiving.

Anyone who’d like to help is urged to contact Stephanie Somers, ONC clothing coordinator, at somerss@cox.net. For other ONC volunteer opportunities or to make a monetary donation, visit www.ourneighborschild.org.

Toy and Food Drive

To brighten the holiday season for area families in need, the Democratic Women of Clifton (DWC) will once again be taking donations for the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Toy Drive, plus grocery-store gift cards for Our Daily Bread.

Anyone who wants to help may drop off these items during the DWC’s Sunday, Nov. 18, meeting from 3-5 p.m., in the Clifton Town Meeting Hall, 12641 Chapel Road in Clifton. For more information, e-mail cliftonwomendems@aol.com or visit www.democraticwomenofclifton.org.

Recycle During Electric Sunday

Residents may recycle old TVs, computers, peripheral electronic devices – such as keyboards, speakers, printers and scanners, as well as household hazardous wastes – including fluorescent light bulbs and tubes, for free, during Fairfax County’s “Electric Sunday” events. The next one is slated for Sunday, Nov. 18, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., at the I-66 Transfer Station, 4618 West Ox Road in Fairfax. For more information, call 703-324-5052.

Donate Blood, Save Lives

Total Framing, at 9528 Main St. in Fairfax, will hold its second annual blood drive in honor of Owen Wicks (the son of a Clifton Elementary alumnus) and Ryan Dillon (whose father was a former Clifton Elementary P.E. teacher). Both lost their battles with Osteosarcoma earlier this year, but this blood drive is to honor their memories and help others batting cancer and other diseases and conditions requiring transfusions.

The drive is set for Saturday, Nov. 24, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The Inova Bloodmobile will be in the parking lot of the turnpike Shopping Center in Fairfax. To register, visit www.inova.org/donateblood, click on “schedule a donation,” then click on “donate blood” and use sponsor code 7848. Or contact Terri Price at 703-426-0660 or at terri@totalframing.biz.

A photo ID is required, and all donors will receive a goodie bag full of surprises. Appointments are preferred, but walk-ins are welcome. Since blood donations drop dramatically during the holidays, the need is critical during this time of year.

Centreville Elementary Seeks Grant

Centreville Elementary has been nominated by its PTA for a $50,000 Clorox Bright Futures Grant. If awarded, the grant will be used to support the school's healthy movement initiative. The school will install a running/walking track for the students and community. This is a nationwide competition, and the entity with the most votes will win.

Anyone from the community may vote twice a day (once online at https://powerabrightfuture.clorox.com/nominees/detail/?nid=2099 and once by texting 2099pbf to 95248). Anyone 13 and older may vote every day until Dec. 19. So Centreville counselor Lee Kaiser is asking residents to “please vote, and tell your friends and family to do it, too.”

Food pantry: Regular volunteers are needed needed to pick up donated food from Costco on Thursday mornings and from Harris Teeter on Fridays between 9-10 a.m.

Meals on Wheels Volunteers

Fairfax County needs Meals on Wheels drivers in Chantilly and group Meals on Wheels coordinators in both Chantilly and Fairfax. Contact Volunteer Solutions at 703-324-5406, TTY 711, VolunteerSolutions@fairfaxcounty.gov or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dfs/olderadultservices/volunteer-solutions.htm.

Women's Self Defense Program

The Fairfax County Law Enforcement Foundation is partnering with the Fairfax County Police Department to offer the Women's Self Defense Training program. It’s based on the SAFE program formerly provided by the Police Department, but now being taught by C&J Security Corp.

The program is a two-day class that will meet on consecutive Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:15-9:30 p.m. It’s currently offered free and all class materials are included. Program funding is provided through the Fairfax County Law Enforcement Foundation.

The course is offered to females, age 13 and older. A female guardian must accompany girls 13-18. No men other than the instructors are permitted to be present during a class. For more information, call 703-246-7806, e-mail WSD@fairfaxfoundation.org or go to www.fairfaxfoundation.org.